Practical Faith - Temptations

Sermons by Ps Daniel Khong at the Faith Community Baptist Church 26 Sep 2026.

The book of James tells us of faith in a practical way and establishes that faith must be practised. This is why it is a good book for new believers.

Scripture: James 1:12-18 talks about temptation and gifts from God.

What is temptation? Anything that will seduce the mind and heart away from obedience into sin - John Owen. In most cases, most things are not inherently evil - job, money - but they have potential to pull us away from God.

Few points to note

Sin is a process and temptation is a key part

Struggling with temptation is not sin

Temptation can be escaped

How to flee (escape) temptation?

1. Don't engage distractions

V14 tells that each one will be drawn away, or lured forth. We are lured by our own desires, got enticed which gave birth to sin and then leads us to death. We will be doing our normal things when something distracts us out of nowhere. The Bible says to flee from such...

2. Don"t embrace deceptions

James disputes the statement we are "tempted by God", for God will only good gifts which are perfects and good that comes from the Father of Lights. Do not be caught by the bait (something which can deceive but is bad). When we are deceived, we then gradually goes into sin and then deeper sin and then to death.

The solution?

Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so rhat we receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need - James 4:16

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